Fibers & Filaments Program
Yoshimatsu: And Birds Are Still...
Drattel: Sorrow is Not Melancholy
Beethoven: String Quartet Op. 132, 3rd mvt
Bartók: Romanian Folk Dances
Fauré: Cantique de Jean Racine
Vaughan William: Fantasia on Thomas Tallis
From Maestro Russell Ger:
Fibers and Filaments are the things of which strings are made. And it is with the irresistibly sumptuous and sonorous sound of the string section that we conclude our incredible anniversary season.
The first work, by a Japanese composer named Yoshimatsu, is called ‘And Birds Are Still…’ It is simply exquisite. Lush, aching, poignant, soaring – it is a decidedly beautiful opener. Deborah Drattel’s piece ‘Sorrow is Not Melancholy’ is highly cinematic and could serve as the soundtrack to your favorite thriller movie. She uses the strings to create amazingly heightened atmosphere and character.
But the centerpiece of the first half comes from one of Beethoven’s last string quartets. It was composed when the mighty man was very unwell, in fact, he thought he was dying. He was halfway through the quartet when pain made it impossible to continue, so he put down his pen, and went to bed to await death. But instead, a miracle happened – he got better!
And with a new rush of energy and newfound appreciation for life and health, he inserted into the middle of his quartet a Hymn of Thanksgiving. It is a great big affirmation of gratitude, which begins quietly like a prayer but slowly gathers strength and eventually dances, ecstatically trilling and leaping through its melody. Hearing it is one of the most moving musical experiences I have had in my life – and it is hardly ever done with full strings.
So, I am very excited – and grateful – to be able to perform this unusual addition to the program with our GNSO strings. Rounding out our first half, like a salad palate cleanser, we have the very light, short, nimble, and pithy set of Romanian Dances from Bartók.
Our second half begins with the cello section performing all by themselves. Our wonderful Principal cellist, Naomi Lisowski, requested this special opportunity to have the cellos take center stage. Together we chose the liltingly beautiful Cantique de Jean Racine by Fauré, which has been a favorite of mine since my early 20s. And finally, we have Vaughan Williams’ mystical evocation of a forgotten world, in his Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis.
All in all, this will be a spectacular display of our wonderful string section – the heart and soul of our orchestra. I am sure you will enjoy it as much as I will. Thank you for sharing another trip around the sun with all of us.
Get your tickets for this intriguing concert now!
https://secure.givelively.org/event/greater-newburgh-symphony-orchestra-corp/fibers-filaments
Also check out other Entertainment events in Newburgh, Music events in Newburgh, Concerts in Newburgh.
